The valedictory function of the State-level Wildlife Week celebrations at the Kallarackal grounds here on Tuesday evening plunged into chaos with the arrival of Joice George, MP, at the venue.
Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was at the venue to inaugurate the function.
A few Youth Congress workers led by Idukki parliamentary constituency president Bijo Mani raised slogans against the MP. A group of people, allegedly DYFI activists, tried to rush on to the venue and attack the Youth Congress workers.
Chairs and other materials at the venue were thrown around and the police, led by Kattappana Dy.SP, had a tough time controlling the situation. The clashes and slogan-shouting continued for long even as the organisers tried in vain to calm down the groups.
Eight Youth Congress workers were injured in the melee and they were admitted to a hospital at Kattappana. The Youth Congress workers staged a sit-in at the venue. Mr. Radhakrishnan asked the people to keep calm and left the venue soon after his address.
Police personnel had been deployed in strength in the town and the venue as there was a tense situation after Youth Congress workers burned Mr. George in effigy on Sunday following his alleged bid to assault the Forest Minister on Saturday in the Neryamangalam forest over the demolition of culverts on a forest road there.
